So sad to hear---Matt was an incredible Cyclone and somewhat ahead of his time in regards to athleticism at his position. Do we know what the cause of death was?
Matt Blair passes away
- Thread starter CyTwins
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So sad to hear---Matt was an incredible Cyclone and somewhat ahead of his time in regards to athleticism at his position. Do we know what the cause of death was?
I just realized that both Matt Blair and AJ Klein wore #47 at ISU. I can't think of any ex-Cyclone linebackers that had better NFL success (may be forgetting someone). Maybe that should be a number of prestige for ISU linebackers, like a senior DL takes on #58.
I’ve been fortunate to see some very good Clyclones starting with Dwight Nichols. I believe Matt was the best. Some of the other older Cylone fans on here, correct me if I’m wrong, but didn‘t a helicopter land at midfield with Matt and Cy before a game? Not sure if it was the year he was injured or after he had gradiated. RIP Matt
We beat out Florida, Florida State and Alabama for him. Guessing that never happens again. Greatest Cyclone in the NFL and it’s not close
Guy was an absolute beast on the field and a nice guy off.
Walked in front of Beardshear on my way to Photography class. Parked out from of the Beardshear steps was a beautiful Mercedes 450 SL. Powder Blue with white leather interior. Top was down. Wandered into class and who was there as guest speaker? None other than Mr. Matt Blair. He had been on a Kodiak All American team and was given various equipment that he made into a hobby. Pretty good photographer based on the displays of his work. Come to find out, it was his car parked in front of Beardshear. Been a 450 SL fan every since. Of course, was a Matt Blair fan to begin with. A Cyclone favorite along with Dexter Green.
Walked in front of Beardshear on my way to Photography class. Parked out from of the Beardshear steps was a beautiful Mercedes 450 SL. Powder Blue with white leather interior. Top was down. Wandered into class and who was there as guest speaker? None other than Mr. Matt Blair. He had been on a Kodiak All American team and was given various equipment that he made into a hobby. Pretty good photographer based on the displays of his work. Come to find out, it was his car parked in front of Beardshear. Been a 450 SL fan every since. Of course, was a Matt Blair fan to begin with. A Cyclone favorite along with Dexter Green.
My favorite story was when a reporter, trying to understand what position a "Monster" was most like, asked Majors "Where does a Monster play"; Majors' reply..."Wherever he wants."
Here's a Star Tribune writeup with a little more detail on Matt Blair and CTE. 
Link: Former Vikings great Matt Blair dies at age 70, likely linked to CTE
Link: Former Vikings great Matt Blair dies at age 70, likely linked to CTE
My all time favorite Cyclone and Viking. He's the main reason I became a Vikings fan.
Here's a Star Tribune writeup with a little more detail on Matt Blair and CTE.
Link: Former Vikings great Matt Blair dies at age 70, likely linked to CTE
I love football but I worry if we are doing the right thing. Hopefully some changes that have made is making it safer.
I get what you are saying, but he did live to 70 and seemed to be doing pretty well based on interviews, reports, and personal testimonies posted here. Granted, I don't know the details of his last few years and it is tragic if CTE had anything to do with his demise, but it isn't like CTE pounded him in his 30's or 40's.
My most vivid memory was lifting weights (very loose definition) in the Olson Building at the same time as the FB team. Keith Sims should have been on "Worlds Strongest Man" competition. I think he could have given Magnus Ver Magnussen a run for his money.
50th Sun Bowl reunion next year. Many are now gone. So sad. RIP Matt. As many people have said, a true genuine kind human being which I would assume meant more to him that people remembered him for that, rather than just his athletic skill.
Probably the best defensive back in ISU history. And certainly the game in and game out hardest hitter.
Sitting in the south end zone of Clyde Williams I saw him make hardest hit I have ever seen in football, period. Agaist Okie State.
Clyde Williams in the 60's and early 70's those were the days......
Sitting in the south end zone of Clyde Williams I saw him make hardest hit I have ever seen in football, period. Agaist Okie State.
Clyde Williams in the 60's and early 70's those were the days......
When I was working in Arkansas in the late '70s I was talking football with a longtime Razorback fan. When I mentioned I was a Cyclone fan he immediately referred to 'an Iowa State LB who delivered the hardest hit I've ever seen'. He, of course, was talking about Matt, and the play I believe was when he knocked out the Hog RB Dickey.
